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An assessment of posture related MSDs risk in university employees using REBA method | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

An assessment of posture related MSDs risk in university employees using REBA method


Abstract:

The work activities concerning a vast number of today’s professions are generally static and after long period lead to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The u...Show More

Abstract:

The work activities concerning a vast number of today’s professions are generally static and after long period lead to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The university employees - both scientific staff and administration undoubtedly pertain to this category. A web-based survey related to ergonomic working posture and work discomfort was completed by 20 volunteers – 10 men and 10 women. Profile pictures of their postures while using computer were taken and analysed using the REBA method. Over 70% of the participants reported discomfort in the neck and around 60% - pain in their upper back. Further, 25% from all defined the pain as moderate. According to the REBA method the MSDs risk level of the sample could be classified as moderate.
Date of Conference: 02-04 June 2022
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 20 July 2022
ISBN Information:
Conference Location: Varna, Bulgaria

I. Introduction

Working posture and limbs movements of a worker during the workday give important data for assessment of the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) at the workplace. University employees are in general office workers who spend numbers of hours working at computer workstations. During the last two years, as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the contact with students was realized mainly through technologies requiring the usage of devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. This work represents a complex of physical working environment, various dimensions of the human body and over a long period has a negative impact on workers in the shape of chronic musculoskeletal health problems [1] . The risk of musculoskeletal injury is associated with long workhours in a static, incorrect or awkward posture. The correct posture on the other hand maintains a natural curvature of the spine, minimizing tension and preserving musculoskeletal balance in the human’s body. An ergonomic workplace assessment could be a basis for improving of the occupational health [2 , 3 , 12] . An inappropriate setting of the workplace, a noncorrect posture, nonadjustable furniture lead to extended or shortened muscles, which combined with the duration of the activity impacts negatively the employee in the shape of stiffening, not satisfactory concentration, bad quality of the work and last but not least – errors.

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References

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